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Matatiele connects more than 5700 households into the national electrification grid!

The Mayor of Matatiele local municipality Cllr. Momelezi Mbedla joined by Executive Committee Members will on Thursday the 12th of July 2018 handover various electrification projects in Wards 3, 4, 5 and 9 and also introduce contractors who will roll out 2018/2019 projects.

The municipality has managed to reduce the electricity backlog which was sitting at 45% in 2015 to less than 30% with 19 492 households not connected to the national electrification grid.

Through these electrification projects, about 3 802 households were connected to the national electrification grid during the 2017/2018 financial year in the following areas: Chibini, Pamlaville, Nkali, New-Resh, Chere, Thotaneng, Nyaniso – Nkalweni, Bubesi A & B, St. Benhards, Mahareng, Madlangala, Mahangu, Magayazidlele, Zikhalini and Maphokong Edrayini, Kwa – Mbobo, Gudlintaba, Khashule and Makgwaseng. 17 local labourers were employed in each project and 2 qualified electrification students were trained.

Mayor Mbedla said the municipality is appreciative of the patience that these communities have displayed since the municipality consulted with them over its challenges.

“As part of the implementation of the National Development Plan, the municipality continues to provide access to energy through the Integrated National Electrification Programme (INEP) working with the Department of Energy and Eskom. The aim of this programme is to ensure sustainable development and growth of the economy through increased access to electricity,” he said.

In the current fiscal year, the municipality is planning to reduce the backlog by 1 960 connections in these life changing multimillion projects; Black Diamond, Goxe and Matias, Khohlong and Tsitsong.

Furthermore, in the pipeline awaiting the 14 days objection period will be the communities of Nice Field and Mateleng, Nkungwini and Pamlaville Phase 2 who will become happy recipients of electrification projects.